Back in January, Games Workshop released details for this year’s Golden Demon competition. It is one of the largest miniature painting competitions in the world, accepting submissions from all Warhammer properties and the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game. Now, GW has updated its guidelines, and implemented a Golden Demon AI ban.
The Golden Demon AI Ban
The Golden Demon AI Ban can be found in the official 2024 category list and entry guidelines. The change can be found in the FAQ section. Question 8 asks “Am I allowed to use Artificial Intelligence to generate any part of my entry?” The answer is a simple “No.”
This is an important decision given the controversial use of AI in creative fields. All AI-generated artwork is, by design, stolen from other artists and cobbled together into a derivative work. To pass off such derivative work as your own is plagiarism. It is a fact many tech companies are contending with in court right now.
Games Workshop enforcing this Golden Demon AI ban has precedent from last year. Neil Hollis, a 12-time Golden Demon winner, took home the gold in 2023’s Warhammer 40,000: Single Miniature competition for his Exodite miniature. The miniature and paint were all made from approved materials, but the backdrop was AI-generated.
Hollis spoke openly about the controversy in a video interview with The Painting Phase. Hollis mentioned the contention around his entry, including waves of hostility and support from parts of the community.
In the video, Hollis expressed the convenience of AI tools and acknowledged using them to generate his backdrop was a risk. Not due to the ethical implications of the technology, but on the basis that the backdrop was printed and not painted.
Regardless, if Hollis plans on winning any awards at this year’s Golden Demon, he will have to do so without AI tools.
